The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that thirteen Dent County residents were arrested early Tuesday morning on drug-related charges and were initially incarcerated in the Dent County Jail. Sergeant Dan Crain, the public information officer for the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reported that officers started serving the arrest warrants around 5:30 a.m. Involved in the procedure were federal agents from the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Forest Service as well as the South Central Drug Task Force Agency, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Dent County Sheriff's Department. The arrests came after a lengthy investigation by law enforcement officers that resulted in 11 federal arrests and two state charges.

The Dent County Commissioners held their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse Monday morning. For the road report, District 1 Commissioner Bobby Simpson reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 508, 541, 544, 665 and 667. Simpson also said that gravel would be hauled to Dent County Roads 409 and 544 and brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 541 and 542. District 2 Commissioner J.J. Tune reported that grading would be done and gravel would be hauled to Dent County Roads 318 and 319 and grading would be done on Dent County Road 205 and brush would be cut on Dent County Road 215. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles attended a Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee meeting Monday night in St. James. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that today is the last day to register to vote for the February 5th election and if you have had an address change, please contact the clerks office at 729-4144. Curley also reported that the budget document would be available to the public on January 16th. At the meeting Commissioner Simpson suggested putting on the August or November ballot an initiative to create a full time prosecutors position that would go into effect January 1, 2011 if approved by the voters. Commissioner Skiles said if voted in, the next step would be to set up a revenue plan that would support the position, which would cost around an additional $65,000 per year. The measure was unanimously approved by the Commission and they will decide which ballot to put the initiative at Thursdays meeting. Also at the meeting the Commission voted in a 2 to 1 favor to hold the annual budget hearing on January 28th at 9:00 am. Commissioner Skiles voted no, because he thought a night meeting would be more accessible to the public. Commissioners Simpson and Tune disagreed because the morning meeting is open to the public and if anyone has questions about the budget they can come into the courthouse at anytime. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

A number of people attended the MODOT design public hearing on Tuesday to view the preliminary plans of improving six curves on Highway 32 between Dent County Roads 608 and 240A. The purchase of right of way will be required for the project to be completed. Most of the areas will include an earlier entrance and later exit from the curve to “soften” the impact it has on the driving and in some cases, removing a blind or dangerous curve. The biggest deviation from the current road would be the removal of “dead man’s curve” between Dent County Road 608 and 241 that is proposed to go through the field at the curve just prior to the sharp curve going toward Licking and end up back at the old Highway 32 just past the Dent County Road 608 intersection. Once the plan is approved, the purchase of right-of-way will begin. The construction project is scheduled to begin and be completed in 2009.

Taylor Sirois scored 25 points, 15 in the third quarter alone, and helped lead the Salem Tigers to a 62-51 win over the Sullivan Eagles Tuesday night. Sirois also yanked down 10 rebounds for Salem who also received double digit scoring from Cody Wofford with 12 points and C.J. Smith with 11. Salem was 24 for 29 from the free-throw line which helped secure the win down the stretch. Salem is now 9-5 on the year and they will begin their SCA schedule Friday night when they travel to Cabool.

The Missouri Basketball Tigers moves to 10-5 on the year with a 96-76 win over the UMKC Kangaroos. Leo Lyons led the way for Missouri with 22 points followed by Demarre Carroll with 16, Stefhon Hannah with 13, and Keon Lawrence and Jason Horton each netted 11. Missouri will begin Big 12 action against Texas Saturday at noon and you can hear the game on KSMO Radio.

Andy McDonald registered two goals and an assist, as the St. Louis Blues pummeled the Columbus Blue Jackets, 6-1, in a Central Division clash at Scottrade Center. David Perron posted a goal and an assist and Erik Johnson collected three helpers for the Blues, who have won two straight and three of four overall. Manny Legace made 17 saves to earn the win. David Backus and Keith Tkachuk also scored for the Blues who will face the Dallas Stars Thursday night.

A Funeral Mass for Edward F. Larson of Salem, formerly of Woonsocket, South Dakota, age 91, will be held this morning at 7:00 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Salem. Interment will be in the Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell, South Dakota. Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army.

Graveside services for Ace Leon Crandall of Joplin, age 66, will be held this morning at 10:00 at the Osborne Memorial Cemetery in Joplin. Memorials may be made to the St. John's Hospice.

Funeral services for Sam Halbert of Steelville, age 34, will be held today at 1:00 at the Straightway Baptist Church in Steelville. Interment will be in the Straightway Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Halbert Children’s Fund.

Funeral services for Gilbert Wayne Davis of Steelville, age 82, will be held Thursday at 1:00 at the Britton-Bennett Chapel in Steelville. Visitation will be tonight from 5:00 to 8:00 Interment will be in the Steelville Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Midland Pentecostal Assembly or the Missouri Veteran’s Home.

Graveside services for Betty L. Walberg of Salem, age 74, will be held Thursday at 2:00 at the North Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 1:00 to 1:45 at the James & Gahr Chapel in Salem.

Funeral services for John E. Wisdom of St. James, age 83, will be held Friday at 1:00 at the James & Gahr Chapel in St. James. Visitation will be Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the St. James Cemetery. There will be a Military Honor Guard service.

Funeral services for Teresa French of Salem are incomplete at this time. All the arrangements are under the direction of the Dent County Memorial Chapel.

Today..Mostly sunny, high of 51.
Tonight..Partly cloudy, low of 36.
Thursday..Partly sunny with a 20% chance for light rain or snow, high of 45.
Thursday night..Partly cloudy and blustery, low of 25.
Friday and Friday night..Partly cloudy, high of 41, low of 28.
Saturday..Partly sunny, high around 40.